Ninja

The Ninja glove is our most advanced, made from a thin nylon liner under tough rubber padding, with Kevlar reinforcing in the major impact area of the index knuckle. We've improved the Kevlar material we use to make sure the Index knuckle won't wear out or break down. It's segmented design gives exceptional flexibility while the dense rubber gives solid protection. The low volume padding allows very fast handspeed. Recommended for players who prioritize performance above all else.

The majority of both Mens and Womens NZ Elite teams that won the World Championships in Canada 2018 wore Ninjas.

Now available with a Cut-Proof liner option. We replace our standard nylon base glove with a grade 5 cut-proof liner made from a material similar to Kevlar. The liner of the glove will now out-wear the padding, increasing durability significantly. The liner is also slightly thicker which increases protection slightly, while slightly reducing mobility/flexibility. Many of the NZ mens team in Canada 2018 wore Cut-Proof prototype Ninjas.

Comfort & Dexterity

The Ninja has a cut-out palm as standard to allow maximum feel and grip, as nothing can beat old-fashioned skin. The rubber material gives a different feel to the 'comfy sock' fit of our silicon gloves, but still very comfortable to wear. Dexterity is exceptional, and the Ninja feels very low-profile on the hand. It is by far the lightest glove on the market. A size 85 Ninja weighs 135g, compared to a size 85 Heavy Tank which weighs 270g. If you do prefer to keep the lining in, please mention this on your order notes and we will leave the palm in for you.

Protection

The Ninja has a very thin padding volume but the rubber material is much denser than silicon, resulting in better protection compared to a heavy silicon glove in a much smaller, lighter package. The main impact knuckles have wide coverage, and the padding around the back of the hand is light and flexible but is still thick enough to mitigate damage from awkward impacts. The index knuckle is reinforced with a thick Kevlar wool to improve durability. What exactly does the Kevlar do? Our segmented design allows for flexibility and dexterity by connecting the padding with thin joints. Although the rubber is very tough and has a high tear strength, repeated high impacts could eventually still cause the thin joint to rip, for people with the most aggressive play styles. The Kevlar we use runs through the joint material as reinforcing, adding tear-resistance and general toughness to the index joint, which for a majority of players is the highest impact area on the glove and generally subject to the most wear. For many players, the life of the glove is the same as the life of the Index knuckle.

Tile and Handspeed

Textures on the contact surfaces of the glove, particularly on the fingers, reduce contact area with the pool bottom significantly. This results in a glove which slides nearly as fast as silicon, despite having a grippier material.

Customization

Ninjas come in standard mid-blue. We have colour tested since 2018 Worlds to make sure we hit a medium shade that refs are happy with, but please be aware that chemicals in the pool can cause the glove colour to swing light or dark, so it pays to keep an eye on your glove and rinse it in fresh water after use. We have an option to label the cuff of the glove that you can select for easier identification poolside.

Durability

The Ninja is made from durable rubber that is much tougher and more tear-resistant than silicon, however care should still be taken when putting on and taking off the glove to ensure longevity. Silicon won't adhere to the rubber, but other rubber adhesives can still be used for maintenance and repairs. The cut-out palm doesn't have a noticeable impact on the durability of the glove, and also makes it easier to take the glove on and off. Like our other gloves, the Ninja is designed to be a snug fit. It will loosen and soften slightly after a couple of sessions to wear in.